Can UPI id contain special characters?

UPI IDs (Virtual Payment Addresses or VPAs) typically follow a format similar to an email address, requiring the '@' symbol to separate the username from the bank handle. While the '@' is mandatory, most other special characters like #, $, or * are generally not permitted in the ID itself. Official guidelines are moving toward stricter rules; for example, UPI transaction IDs containing certain special characters will be blocked starting February 1, 2025, to ensure system integrity.